Area: 223.59 km2
Latitude: 51.035 N
Longitude: 98.531 W
In the middle of Manitoba’s Interlake region sits Dog Lake. Nestled between Lake Manitoba’s north and south basins, the Dog Lake IBA encompasses a wide range of habitat types: shallow (<15 ft maximum depth) open water, rocky shores with irregular, shallow bays, stands of emergent and submerged vegetation, marshes and, in dry years, mudflats, rolling aspen parkland, and agricural land bordering the lake.
The Dog Lake IBA is nationally, continentally, and globally significant for its congregatory species and high concentration of colonial waterbirds and shorebirds. Several low islands in Dog Lake are used as nesting grounds by colonial waterbirds including American White Pelicans (up to 9,200 individuals estimated in 1986), Great Egrets (21 nests recorded in 1996), and Great Blue Herons. Common Terns nest in large numbers (990 nests recorded in 1996) along with Ring-billed Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants. Dog Lake is an important nesting and moulting ground for Canada Geese and large flocks of thousands of geese are recorded annually during spring and fall migration. During dry years, shorebirds use exposed mudflats bordering Dog Lake as a migratory stopover.
Dog Lake is designated a Wildlife Management Area and the islands within are designated a Game Bird Refuge, prohibiting hunting on these islands. When visiting the area, keep an eye out for various mammal species including the Beaver, Muskrat, Badger, Short-tailed Weasel, Fisher, Marten, Mink, River Otter, Coyote, Red Fox, Lynx, and Raccoon.
See below for maps on where to find birds, stories relating to Dog Lake IBA, and priorities for monitoring.
Where to bird:
- Follow Davidson Rd or Forseng Rd from HWY 68 to access the lake from the west
- Access the lake from the north by Marsh Bay Rd
- Survey along highways and roads surrounding the IBA by car to see and hear Sandhill Cranes, American Coots, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Mallards, Marbled Godwits, Wilson’s Snipes, and Least Flycatchers
As Dog Lake IBA is a provincial Wildlife Management Area, the use of off-road vehicles and watercraft may be restricted. Click here for more information.
When to bird:
- Spring and fall: large migratory flocks of Canada Geese
- Summer: look for breeding birds including American White Pelicans, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Common Terns, Ring-billed Gulls, and Double-crested Cormorants
- Fall: in dry years, look for migrating shorebirds at exposed mudflats
